Guardiola claims £53m City star is 'not clever enough' to play in his midfield

Pep Guardiola has jaw-droppingly claimed that one of his midfielders is 'not clever enough' to play there.

The Manchester City boss admitted that Matheus Nunes lacks the requisite 'composure' to play in the middle of the park, but thinks he has a future at right-back.

Whether intended so brutally or not, it is a damning indictment against a star who City signed for £53million in 2023 to play in central midfield.

Guardiola was speaking after City's 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, where Nunes once again filled in at right-back.

Nunes has been playing there ever since January after Kyle Walker revealed his desire to leave before being sent on loan to AC Milan.

'He can become a good right-back for the physicality,' said Guardiola. 'I think he's not a player to play in the middle because he's not clever enough, in composure.

'He has incredible skills and he's learning a lot; full-backs always have a big mistake when a cross to the far-post where you are, always they're sleeping.

'And he defended really well two or three crosses from Bruno Fernandes, [Patrick] Dorgu. He has physicality to do it, he can play that position and he's helped a lot.

'When we started the season and I tell we're going to play Matheus at right-back, Nico [O'Reilly] left-back, you'd tell me, "What are you talking about?"

Nunes certainly had a better Manchester derby this time around than he did in December.

The Portuguese gifted the ball to Amad Diallo before chopping him down in the box to give away a penalty, with Bruno Fernandes converting before Diallo scored to give United a 2-1 win.

Rico Lewis is the only natural right-back left in the squad and has been rotated with Nunes.

Nunes has been a utility player this season for City, playing in centre midfield, both full-back positions, left midfield, and left wing.

Earlier this season, he insisted he could fill the hole in midfield left by Rodri's long-term injury, but he has only played in the middle of the park since then.

'At Wolves I played more as a winger and last year here I played more as a 10 but when I played for Sporting I always played in the double pivot so I'm used to every position now,’ he said.

'I try to help the team every time the coach puts me on the field but I know the other guys are all ready as well because we have so much quality in the team.

'We're going to have to fill the void because it's a massive loss but whoever is on the pitch is going to perform well.

'We have shown that if any player is out we have another one that is ready and has top quality to play.

'Last year it happened with Erling and Kevin and we still managed to win. This year, I know we will be the same.'